Abstract

Background

Yukmijihwang-tang, a traditional herbal formula, has been used for treating disorder,
diabetic mellitus and neurosis in China (Liu-wei-di-huang-tang in Chinese), Japan
(Lokumijio-to in Japanese) and Korea for many years. In this study, we investigated
the effects of Yukmijihwang-tang water extract (YJT) on the development of benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using a rat model of testosterone propionate (TP)-induced
BPH.

Methods

A total of 30 rats were divided into five groups. One group was used as a control
and the other groups received subcutaneous injections of TP for 4 weeks to induce
BPH. YJT (200 or 400 mg/kg) was administered daily for 4 weeks to two groups by oral
gavage concurrently with the TP. The animals were euthanized, the prostate and body
weights were recorded, and tissues were subjected to hormone assays and histomorphology.
In addition, we investigated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression
in the prostate using immunoblotting.